The date December 19, 2023, will forever be etched in Vilma’s mind.

While crossing the road, she was suddenly hit by a vehicle.

“The driver said, ‘Why did I do that? I was avoiding another vehicle, but I couldn’t avoid you. The vehicle was more of a priority than your life,’” Vilma Del Rosario, a survivor, narrated.

Although she survived, the incident significantly impacted her life.

She broke her leg, which now limits her mobility.

Her legs often swell as well.

“I am 98% okay. I can walk, but I always feel discomfort because my legs swell. I always have to elevate them,” she added.

But not everyone is as lucky as Vilma.

12,000 Filipinos die annually due to road crash incidents.

This means more than 30 people die every day due to road crashes.

According to a study, the leading causes of road crashes are driver’s error, machine defects, over-speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol.

These incidents have become one of the leading causes of death among Filipinos aged 15-29, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to Atty. Joshua Pablito, Regional Director of DOTR-CAR, “The numbers and statistics show that as the number of crashes increases, it directly affects our traffic enforcement.”

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) aims to reduce these incidents, with a focus on remembering the victims and their families.

A candle lighting ceremony was held last November 17 in Baguio City.

This took place at Km. 3 Asin Road, Suello Village, which is known as one of the city’s accident-prone areas.

After the ceremony, a gathering was held where attendees wrote messages for those who passed away or survived road crashes.

“This is our moral obligation. As I said earlier, every day that we remember, we must act to save lives,” Pablito added.

The DOTr in Cordillera admits that achieving zero road crash incidents annually is impossible,

But they believe it can be reduced, especially when drivers and passengers are in good condition.

It is also important to check vehicles before they go out on the road.

“They should slow down, wherever they are on the road,” Del Rosario mentioned.

National Remembrance Day follows Republic Act No. 11468, which designates the third week of November as the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, Survivors, and their Families.

**JOSE ROBERT INVENTOR